health care Archives - A Million Lives

July 4, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Advice For New Nurses Looking To Succeed

There are few professions as important or noble as a nurse. A nurse will provide important care to those that need it and are regarded as the glue that keeps a healthcare center running smoothly and efficiently. This makes it an incredibly rewarding line of work, especially for those that consider themselves to be carers or a people person. The nursing profession is also a challenging one which will be a key part of your life with many long hours, but this can make it all the more rewarding. It is a competitive arena and one which can be difficult to stand out from the crowd in – read on for advice on how a new nurse can excel:

Develop Critical Thinking/Decision-Making Skills

There are many skills that a good nurse will have, but the ability to think outside the box and being flexible with decision making can set you apart. No two days or even patients are the same when it comes to nursing, so it is important that you are able to adapt to different situations and come up with the best possible solution whether it is for the patient, doctor or a family member.

Keep Learning

The learning never stops when it comes to healthcare, so it is worth looking to earn more qualifications – in addition to providing you with new skills, these will also look great on your resume. You can also find different programs for different areas of nursing which will allow you to choose a particular path. In many cases, courses can be completed online, such as online nursing programs in Houston, which can make it much more convenient and easier to complete while in your current role.

Stay Afloat On Industry News

The healthcare industry is one which is constantly undergoing change with new technologies, treatments, and research. Staying up to date with all of this will help you to be the best possible nurse and show that you are dedicated, passionate and current on the world of nursing and healthcare.

Improve Interpersonal Skills

Communication is one of the most important skills that you can have as you must be able to clearly and succinctly communicate with doctors, fellow nurses, patients, families and many other people every single day. Improving your interpersonal skills, which will include communication, listening and reading people, will help you to succeed as well as climb the ladder. In addition to these important traits, you must also have an excellent work ethic and relish a hard day’s work as it is a never-ending job where you will spend most of the day on your feet.

Nursing is a special profession and one which can be incredibly rewarding. As such a noble job, it is also one which is popular, so it can be hard to find work and progress. However, the above steps can help any new nurse to develop their skill set and put themselves in a great position to be a top-class nurse.

April 3, 2018 by Greg Underwood

4 Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Nurse

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Nursing is one of those fields that is marred by preconceptions and stereotypes. However, nursing has changed dramatically from work practices to expectations to the number of roles nurses can fill. And there’s a huge gap between the idealized image of nursing versus reality. Here are four things everyone should know before becoming a nurse.

You’ll Get Over It Eventually

If you’re going to be a nurse, you have to be ready for everything that comes with it. Nurses may deal with serious injuries, and you can’t be squeamish about the sight of blood or other bodily fluids. You’ll need to get over the “ick” factor to deal with patients effectively, though it may take time.

You’re a Highly Trusted Resource

Nursing was ranked the most trusted profession fifteen years running in surveys by Gallup. Patients tend to share information with nurses they may be reluctant to share with doctors. And nurses tend to be the lynchpin of the healthcare system, providing critical information regarding self-care, referrals to specialists and guidance on paperwork. The fact that you’re a support for your patients is one reason why the job can be such an emotional roller coaster, though it is one more reason why patients trust nurses so much.

It Isn’t One Degree

There is an amazing array of credentials related to nursing. A practiced practical nurse or LPN and certified nursing assistant or CAN are considered nurses, and they’re both considered entry-level positions.

Spend another few years in school to become a registered nurse or RN; they typically have a bachelor’s degree. Nurses may have additional certifications or graduate degrees to become a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or certified nurse midwife.

It is actually possible to earn a doctor of nursing practice or DNP; this is a terminal degree for nurses. You can earn one of these advanced degrees through Regis College Online. The Regis Nursing certificate program includes a post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate as well.

Note that learning never stops. Even if you don’t pursue a higher degree, your nursing license will typically require continuing education hours completed every few years.

You Have Schedule Flexibility

Many nurses work 12 hour shifts straight; that’s especially true in hospitals and nursing homes. However, you could find jobs with far more flexibility. School nurses, for example, work during the school day. You could work in a nursing home or urgent care center, and these facilities need people on weekends and holidays, often with higher pay for doing so. You could work the day shift or night shift in a hospital. Work as a travel nurse and you could choose both when and where you work. Work for a nursing agency and you could choose what weeks you’re working and which you’re off.

Conclusion

Nursing is far more than giving out shots and taking someone’s temperature. Nursing is an emotionally and often physically demanding profession. Yet it provides diverse opportunities and the flexibility to work almost anywhere and anytime.

December 21, 2017 by Greg Underwood

Forensic Nursing: A Career Guide

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Do you want to be in demand? Do you care for the people and children of the world? Do you know what the statistics in the United States are around sexual assault and abuse? If this sounds like you, let us show you why you need to enroll in an online nursing program , why you need to answer the call and be there to assist the children and the adults, even the elderly who are helpless, lost and afraid, stuck in a continuous motion of traumatic memories.

The Statistics

The United States alone owns a vicious statistic that promises every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. Every eight minutes, an American child is sexually assaulted. Only six out of every 1,000 perpetrators will see the inside of a prison cell. Unfair? Shocking? Violence is all around you. Wait, let us look at the bigger picture: 35% of women worldwide have experienced some form of sexual abuse, or will be a victim in their lifetime. So, what does this have to do with you completing your DNP or FNP online?

Why You Should Be Studying a DNP

It has everything to do with you. If you have any feeling toward the statistics mentioned, then you have it in your power to make a difference. A forensic nurse is an angel that every victim of any abuse or trauma looks for and there are not enough to go around. They are the ones who take the photographs, collect vital evidence, console the victims and bring them back to a state of calm. After completing an online DNP program, you will be that angel.

A forensic nurse has the knowledge and the logical know-how as to whether a victim was abused or assaulted, or if it was from their own doing or a plot that no one has considered. A forensic nurse is the one to rescue the little children of this world and ensure that they do not grow up repeating the same infidelities that were done to them. A forensic nurse can and usually is the one who makes the difference in the witness box in the courtroom and puts the pedophiles behind bars and ensures that they remain there to be rehabilitated. A forensic nurse understands the criminal dark side of this planet and he/she fights to keep it at bay. A forensic nurse is a superhero and there are simply not enough to fight the statistics that show up on the front pages or on our doorsteps.

It’s Not Just a Career, It’s a Calling

If you are reading this article, then it may very well be that you should answer the call of the forensic nurse and enroll in your online doctor of nursing. You can study for this program 100% online. It is rated internationally by Forbes to be in the top 30 of all online programs. You will not only be entering a life-changing, lucrative path, but you will be healing the world and making a difference where it really matters.

Answer the call and become the forensic nurse that helps victims.